When an employee is off work due to an injury or illness, you can save money and help improve your experience mod by bringing them back to work in a transitional capacity as soon as they are medically able. Many times, you can accommodate medical restrictions with minor changes to the employee’s regular job duties or working hours, but some situations require a little more creativity to ensure the employee is doing meaningful work without violating his or her medical constraints.
You may not think you have any transitional (modified duty) work available, but a little thought can yield a surprising number of tasks suitable for recovering employees. You can also enlist the help of your staff by asking about the tasks they would like to complete, but never seem to have time for.
Still stumped? We’ve put together a list of ideas* to get you started.
Safety-Focused Tasks for Recovering Employees?
- Review and update warning signs and posters
- Update and organize safety data sheet binder
- Conduct a slip, trip and fall assessment with this checklist
- Complete online safety training (try Backing and Parking, Cargo Tank Driver—Rollover Prevention or Defensive Driving)
- Choose a topic for an employee safety meeting
C-Store Operations for Recovering Employees
- Work at cash register (sit or stand as required)
- Food prep
- Make coffee
- Wash dishes
- Clean store fixtures
- Organize and straighten shelves
- Stock shelves with lightweight items
- Vendor receiving
- Answer phones and scheduling for lube locations
General Housekeeping for Recovering Employees
- Break down boxes
- Clean employee breakroom
- Restock and clean bathrooms
- Light housekeeping (sweeping, trash pickup, etc.)
Administrative Work for Recovering Employees
- Answer phones
- Inventory supplies or merchandise
- Order supplies
- Process invoices for vendors and customers
- Create employee schedules
- Update job descriptions
- Shred and recycle documents or materials
- Data entry
- Miscellaneous errands (post office, bank, etc.)
Driving-Related Tasks for Recovering Employees
- Assist drivers with loads (within restrictions)
- Work toward CDL recertification
- Dispatch loads to customer locations
- Audit driver logs
- Clean company vehicles
- Verify vehicle DOT inspections are current
- Compile list of upcoming due dates for DOT inspections
LP Tasks for Recovering Employees
- Paint LP tanks
- Canvas neighborhoods with door hangers (marketing)
- LP leak checks (with pressure equipment)
- Make sales calls
- Schedule service plans
- Match service plans to equipment in computer
*Before assigning transitional tasks to a recovering employee, make sure the duties will not violate his or her individual restrictions.